Junk Drawer Metalsmithing
Stephanie Lee

Class Description

Metal-smithing, an art of the masters, is presented in an innovative and non-intimidating way making it so you'll never look at metal the same again. Not your typical metal-smithing class, it is designed to show you how to take readily accessible materials and tools to create totally original pieces. Whether you like bright and shiny or aged and earthy, you will love learning to cast your own metal components from your favorite found objects (you'll be amazed at how simple it is!). You will also learn how to fabricate sealed metal boxes and shrines to showcase your smaller works of art or to fill with resin, plaster or found objects to incorporate into book arts, assemblage, jewelry and more! Other techniques will be presented including soldering sheet to sheet, creating super simple shrine forms, and free-hand metal etching. All this will be taught using basic tools in a way that you can easily transfer to your own work space. Sheet brass for box building will be provided by the instructor as well as flux, propane torches, heat safe surfaces and more.

Students Should Bring:

• 1 roll of lead-free plumber's solder, not rosin core. Silver glean solder will work OK.
• 4 oz. white Sculpey clay - oven dry variety (do NOT bake it!)
• Items with texture to cast (dig through your junk drawer)
• Tin snips
• Wire cutters
• Needle-nose pliers
• Large flat tipped pliers
• Black sharpies (fine tip and regular)
• Anvil or steel block (check your local steel fabricator for 1/2" + thick scrap steel)
• Hammer
• Flat or triangular metal file
• Rags
• OPTIONAL - butane torch and heat safe brick if you have them already.

Instructor Will Provide:

• Sterling Silver wire
• Sheet brass and nickel-silver for all students - enough for class projects and to take home
• Flux
• Propane torches
• Heat safe surfaces
• Blackening and etching agents
• Various tools and supplies for all students use

Artist Bio

Stephanie Lee lives and works in Rogue River, Oregon as a mixed media and jewelry artist where for the past nine years she also has run her own wedding floral business. Her artwork has been featured in galleries, private shows and multiple art publications. She has her own book featuring her mixed media jewelry coming to bookstores in February 2008.

A modern day expeditioner, Stephanie practices her own version of archeology, scanning the terrain for intriguing bits and pieces that present themselves - or that are hiding but don't easily escape her grasp. Stephanie is most inspired by nature and it’s melodic effects on the human spirit. Her simple, yet organic, approach provides viewers with a thought-provoking, visual experience. Passionate about repurposing everyday objects, she is committed to reinventing normal into something eclectic, expressive and spiritually transformational.

Learn more about Stephanie and her work at:
www.stephanielee.typepad.com
www.stephanieleestudios.com